These are the lab's members
Current
Daphna Gottlieb
Principal Investigator at the Agriculture Research Organization Israel. My work focuses on behavioral ecology and chronobiology of pest and beneficial insects.
Miriam Benita- Ph.D. Student.
I focus on the red flour beetle, a seemingly simple organism with a surprisingly complex internal timekeeping system. My research delves into the ontogeny of this clock, tracing its development from the egg stage to adult. Furthermore, by comparing the clocks of the flour beetle to other related insect species, I can explore the concept of temporal niches. This line of inquiry investigates how different species carve out their own unique time slots within the 24-hour cycle, minimizing competition and maximizing their ecological fitness.
Gilad Ben Moshe- MSc. Student.
My MSc research tackles grain storage pests with a sustainable twist. We're developing slow augmentation methods to introduce beneficial parasitoids and exploring how to conserve their natural populations within storage units. The goal? Less reliance on chemicals, more natural pest control!
Aharon Rubin- MSc. Student.
My research dives into the population dynamics of phosphine-resistant flour beetles. It's one piece of a larger puzzle, investigating the emergence, spread, and management of this resistance. I'm analyzing population growth, dispersal patterns, and potential fitness costs associated with resistance. This data will contribute to developing strategies to slow resistance evolution and identify alternative pest control methods for a more sustainable future.
Avichai Harush- MSc. Student.
I explore the exciting realm of agri-chronobiology! Focusing on light regimes, I'm investigating their potential as a non-chemical pest control tool. By manipulating light cycles in storage facilities, I'm testing if we can disrupt the internal clocks of insects like flour beetles, impacting their development, reproduction, or overall activity levels. The goal? To develop a sustainable and eco-friendly addition to our pest management toolbox.
Lab Alumini
Sefi Doron
Previously the best lab principle manager. Currently insect rearing expert & head of insectary at Diptera.ai.
Ariel Menachem
Great innovator and Technician. Currently technician at the Stored Products and Inspection Unit, ARO. Israel
Dr. Animesha Rath
Postdoc. Currently a Lady Davis fellow at the The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Israel.
